When evaluating the Public Administration optional paper of UPSC CSE exam, the evaluator seeks the following qualities in the answers of a civil services aspirant:
Clarity of expression: The answer should be written in a clear and concise manner, using simple language that is easy to understand. The answer should be well-structured and free of any grammatical errors.
Relevance to the question: The answer should be relevant to the question asked and should address all the different aspects of the question.
Depth of knowledge: The answer should demonstrate a deep understanding of the subject matter, and should be based on sound theoretical concepts and empirical evidence.
Application of knowledge: The answer should not only demonstrate knowledge of the subject matter but also the ability to apply that knowledge to real-life situations.
Critical analysis: The answer should be analytical in nature, providing a critical analysis of the issue at hand, rather than simply stating facts or theories.
Balanced perspective: The answer should present a balanced perspective, taking into account different viewpoints and opinions, and providing a fair and unbiased analysis.
Innovative ideas: The answer should showcase innovative and out-of-the-box thinking, which can set the answer apart from others and can help to score more marks. In short, the evaluator seeks a well-written, relevant, well-structured, and analytical answer that showcases the candidate’s depth of knowledge, critical thinking abilities, and application of knowledge to real-world problems.